Beryl Walton born 27 March 1941 at 517 Leeds Road Thackley to Herbert and Lillie Walton she was the youngest of five sisters, Kathleen, Christine, Thelma, Gwyneth and two brothers Terry and John. Beryl went to Thackley Primary School then Hanson Grammar School. When she started work it was as a comptomiter operator in the offices of The International HarvestersThe family went to The Thackley Ebenezer Methodist Church in Town Lane but when it closed down they looked around for another local church. Because of the way in which they were made welcome at the Idle Salvation Army they chose that as their place of worship.Beryl became a soldier 7 July 1958 Major Roy Hagglestein was the officer. She joined the band and together with Thelma, played the tenor Horn.In those days, courting girls started much later than it does today and it was when my best friend Harold set a date to marry his girlfriend Nancy we discussed who I should ask out for a date. ‘What about that lass with the pony tail’ he said - she looks like Shirley Jones- that was Beryl and she was the one. One of Beryls favourite activities was the Torchbearer Youth Club on Friday nights. Unknown to me at the time, she had her eye on a young lad called Frank Williams and after the youth club I saw her waiting in the fish shop queue at Dick Bottomleys at the top of the High Street hoping he would ask her out. Thankfully I got their first and invited her if she would like to accompany me to see Jimmy Clitheroe at the Bradford Alhambra the following night - she agreed.On the Saturday night when we got to the Theatre, they only had seats in the gods and I wasn’t taking my date up there so decided to take her to the cinema opposite instead, It was the New Victoria or Gaumont as it was called then and they were showing ‘Around the world in 80 days’ in Todd AO. We sat on the front row of the dress circle.We clicked and our courtship blossomed - in 1962 we got engaged after 4 years courtship. A year later, 23 March 1963, we were married at the Thackley Methodist Church by Rev Davidson and honeymooned in London. We bought our first house from my mum and dad in 91 Blenheim Place Town Lane for £250. It had two small rooms downstairs, a side scullery kitchen and two bedrooms upstairs. It also had an outside toilet across the road which I was used to - a bit of a come down for Beryl who had lived in a house with a bathroom - posh. Three years later we bought our present house in Overdale DriveIn 1964 we had our first baby, Kevin William, then in 1969 Steven followed by Catherine in 1971 .Shortly after Catherine was born, I was taken seriously ill with a faulty kidney and had a big operation. Not having cars in those days, Beryl had to catch two buses there and two buses back every day both in the afternoon and in the evening, never missing a hospital visit which must have been very difficult. But that was Beryl, she’s been a great caring wife and mother, looking after Catherine when she developed Diabetis,Looking after my mum for the ten years that she had Alzheimers, tending me through 6 operations, and 14 years ago helping me through a most trying time when I had a deep cancer removed. In 1968 we celebrated our silver wedding by returning to the Thackley Methodist Church where we were married and invited all the guests who were at the wedding to our celebration. We even managed to get the Rev Davidson back who together with Brigadier Laurie Jardine led the service of blessing. Last year was our Golden Wedding but because of Kevin’s death we didn’t celebrate it. She has been a constant support to me and when we were asked by Betty Matear to become the officers of the Idle Salvation Army she prayed about it and accepted.On September 1995 we were enrolled as Divisional Envoys along with Ray and Pamela Powell at Brighouse Salvation Army.Even though she was a shy person. Beryl started to lead the Home League and the Over Sixties. During one Sunday Morning meeting she signed a decleration that whatever God wanted her to do in 2000 she would do it. I prayed that God would bring the ones who had signed into contact with people He wanted to draw unto Himself. The very next morning, she met Nancy at the bus stop. Nancy had just moved in to Thackley from Bingley and Beryl invited her to the Army. She was thrilled and Nancy often says what a difference that meeting with Beryl has made in her life. That really blessed Beryl.Sadly 11 years ago Beryl started with Alzheimers herself. Life got progressively worse leaving her helpless to make her own decisions, she became totally dependant on me . for everything. Three years ago she lost the ability to speak and to walk any distance.Thankfully she knew nothing about the death of Kevin last year as we held his hand and he passed away - that would have broken her heart.True to the marriage vows, Beryl and I had become one. I dressed and cared for her because I love her - it was no burden - and she responded to me with her heart. She knew me to the end. I shall never forget the lovely smiles she gave me as I led the meetings and especially when she saw me first thing every morning - a look of recognition spread over her face and she would give me the most beautiful smile.

We went out every day - picnics at Ilkley, Otley by the river and a special treat every Thursdays after Catherine had taken Beryl for her hair doing was to go to Scartop at Haworth where Maxine and her family went the extr mile and made us most welcome. We ate at Morrisons most weeks, sharing one meal which I fed us both using the same spoon. People soon got to know us and commented on our love.When we weren’t gadding about we were at Church with our friends - all of whom have been so good to us. Yvonne has been a good friend and got rather adept at putting the wheelchair in and out of the car and Rachel took Beryl to the Coffee mornings and held Beryl’s hand as she sat with her on the Gaither nights. Everyone at the Corps have been especially gracious to us - they all loved Beryl.Beryl was the most wonderful wife and mother one could ever hope to have. She has always stood by her family and championed us through life. The last years have not been easy and life without her will not be easy. I miss her like crazy and wish I was with her now. One day, thanks to God, we shall be together again - I can’t wait. For me there is no fear in death - because I shall be reunited with my lovely wife and son .Without my faith I would not be able to cope. My special thanks goes to Cath and Steven, who have stayed with me for the last two weeks. And to Judy for her support. Thanks too to Tony who has looked after their family allowing Cath to be with me. Thanks also to my wonderful grandchildren Josh, Bethany and Joel for their support. I am proud of my lovely family which is to Beryls credit for all the hard word, love and patience she had faithfully given us .I have a very precious card that Beryl gave me many years ago - it reads;To my husband - We have weathered many storms of life and shed a lot of tearsWe have also shared the laughter throughout our married yearsGod must have thought me special to give me a companion such as youTo share life’s precious moments each day - a lifetime throughI hope that you will hang this up and look at it each dayAnd remember that I love you more than words can sayOur love was so special and precious - she far exceeded what the Biblical translation of her name means - Beryl means a semi precious Jewel - to me she wasn’t just semi precious, she was the most precious Jewel one could ever have. A few years ago I promised Beryl that just as God said He would never leave us nor forsake us - that I would do the same. I would never leave her or forsake her because I love her and we are one. I urge you, if you don’t know the Love of God in your life to give your life to Him accept Him as your Lord and Saviour and know the truth of His promise that He will always be their for you. I would not have been able to cope all these years without Him.I end with the same statement I said when I spoke at Kevin’s funeral. ‘Bye for now love - hope to see you to soon’Thank you to everyone for your love, support and prayers - It means so much to me